What does the Fictitious Names Act provide for?

The Fictitious Names Act is primarily concerned with the registration of trade names, which are the names under which a business operates that may differ from its legal name. This registration process is essential for ensuring transparency in business operations and is mandated by Florida law. The act requires businesses to register their fictitious names with the Florida Department of State if they plan to conduct business under a name that is not their legal name. This allows consumers and other businesses to identify the true owner of the business behind the trade name and helps prevent confusion in the marketplace.

The other options pertain to different aspects of business operation or regulation that do not directly relate to the primary purpose of the Fictitious Names Act. For example, while preventing the use of an alias might seem similar, the act specifically deals with trade names rather than personal aliases. Registration of inactive brokers and exemptions for persons regulated by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) fall outside the scope of the Fictitious Names Act, which is focused solely on business naming practices. Thus, the correct answer highlights the act's emphasis on the registration of trade names, illustrating the importance of business identification and legal clarity in commercial transactions.